Travertine pavers for driveway

7 years ago

Hi, I recently purchase some travertine pavers 1.25x6x12 in in size to use for both a patio and driveway. Traditionally most people use travertine stones for patios or pool decks but I have seen a lot online about using for driveways as well.

I went ahead and got a few estimates for the driveway installation and have had a couple installers advise that these pavers can break easily under pressure of a vehicle.

Has anyone had experience with this? and if so what were your solutions? One alternative that was suggested was to pour a concrete slab and then install with regular mortar for more stability. Of course this comes at a greater cost than sand and gravel.

Featured Answer

PRO

Revolutionary Gardens

7 years ago

I know there are several companies in New Jersey that have done travertine driveways, so it can be done. On paper, the compressive strength of the travertine is fine for driveways, but I don't think it's a project I would want to do and expose myself to liability.

The thinness of the paver is the concern, as yard pointed out. And the bigger the paver, the more susceptible it is to cracking, so 6x12 is the absolute biggest I would even consider. The critical part of the install is going to be making sure there are no voids under the pavers. A void near the center of a 12" paver is a weak point that'll crack. For that reason I would probably lean towards doing them mortared on a slab. Just know that because it's so soft and porous, you may get a lot of efflorescence, which is one more thing to deal with.

Reading up on stone industry white papers, I recall seeing that travertine pavers were rated at anywhere from 5,000-10,000 psi compressive strength. That's a huge range, but it makes sense based on the wide variation in quality I've seen. If your source has done testing, that's great. If your source is one of $3/sq ft places, I would hesitate to park a Big Wheel on that driveway.

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Comments (7)

PRO
Yardvaark
7 years ago
1.25 inches is less than half the thickness needed for a drive.
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M G
Original Author
7 years ago
Rev Gardens, thanks for the feedback. I guess I am still in limbo here, the extra cost for concrete slab and mortor is about $1,000, I would have to break a lot of stones to make up for it. My source is definitely the $3/sqft type, but at least has been very honest about breakage, its a small job so tough to get most companies to even quote me, and the ones that have charge huge amounts likely to meet minimums since its small.
PRO
Yardvaark
7 years ago
As pavers on "sand," I would not consider this at all. Trouble would appear immediately. As pavers mortared on a slab, I wouldn't have any problem with it. My issue is not compressive strength of the stone, but malleability of the base. No matter how hard sand is packed, it will give way under pressure and it is entirely paver thickness that acts to hold against this force. Thin pavers on sand would be like placing interior vinyl tiles on carpet and expecting them not to dislodge.
Heather N
7 years ago
Are the driveways perhaps travertine pavers, not real travertine? I like the Travertina nicolock paver color, maybe that's what you've seen?
PRO
Yardvaark
7 years ago
The material is fine as paver ... but just not 1.25" thickness on sand.
PRO
Revolutionary Gardens
7 years ago
Not nicolock, it's actual travertine pavers.

@M G - where are you located? It could be the size of the job or it could be lack of familiarity with the product. For those who are experienced with the product, it may be reluctance to use customer supplied materials. There's such a wide range of quality with travertine that I wouldn't warranty an installation w/ customer supplied stone, and we don't do jobs we can't warranty, so...

I understand what you're saying about breaking pavers @ $3/sq ft not being the end of the world, but it's going to add up if you're having someone out to replace them every time. Even if you're doing it yourself that's going to get REAL old real fast.